Beginning

How did everything begin?

In his magnum opus (Mishne Torah), Maimonides starts with this very topic, calling it “the foundation of all foundations, and the pillar of wisdoms — to know that there is a first Being, Who creates everything that exists; and everything that there is in heaven and earth and in between, exists only from His true existence.”

He adds that, without G-d, nothing can exist. Furthermore, if nothing else existed, He alone would exist, because everything needs Him to exist, but G-d doesn’t need any of them.

Maimonides explains that there is nothing besides G-d. He conducts everything, He is One, and is not composed of a physical body or its attributes (such as physical anger, laughter etc.).

This first part of Maimonides’ Mishne Torah establishes the basis for everything. Once we know and believe that G-d created and conducts everything by Divine providence, we can then ponder why we are here, what we need to do, and how we need to act. G-d is good, so He provided us with the answer (as outlined in the Torah) as to how we need to conduct ourselves, and how we can refine the world and hasten Redemption with Moshiach. And He told Moses at Mount Sinai, to tell all nations the seven Noahide laws. Global adherence to the seven laws will keep the world peaceful.

Sometimes the world gets distracted, with different and unusual ideologies, with pursuing pleasure, and with hardships. Sometimes things get really heated, as we witness wars and divisions and intense debate about what is moral and right, and what isn’t.

But when there is confusion and darkness, G-d sends His messengers to shine light and clarity.

The Jewish people are G-d’s messengers to be a light to the nations, teaching the world about G-d and morality. Even now, as Israel fight for its survival, and the world is screaming at Israel to stop the war (which would enable Hamas and its evil to exist, thus posing a danger to all humanity), Israel is showing that it is not afraid to do what’s right — thus teaching the world moral clarity, and that evil must be eradicated, even if everyone tells you not to.

Maimonides ends his book with a description of the days of Moshiach, when, as the prophet states, the world will be filled with knowledge of G-d, just as the waters cover the sea.

May it happen very soon.